Creamy cheesy chicken penne alfredo is the perfect one pot family dinner. This easy one pot pasta is the perfect weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
1tablespoonbutter
1/2mediumonionchopped small, about 1/2 cup
1tablespoonminced garlic 2-3 cloves minced finely
1poundchicken breast cubed into one inch pieces
2teaspoonsItalian seasoning
½teaspoonsaltdivided
½teaspoonblack pepperdivided
16ouncespenne pasta
3cupschicken broth low sodium
2cupsheavy cream
½cupparmesan cheese
Instructions
On a cutting board with a large knife, dice the onion into small pieces. Cube the chicken breast into about one inch cubes, removing any fatty bits from the chicken as needed. Set the chicken to the side.
Melt the butter in a large dutch oven or 5-7 quart skillet over medium high heat. Add the onions and garlic and sautee until softened, about 2-3 minutes.
Place the cubed chicken in the pan. Season chicken with ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ pepper and 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning. Cook about 4-5 minutes until it is no longer pink on the outside and just beginning to brown. It is ok for the chicken to be a little pink in the center as it will continue to cook in the sauce later in the recipe, but you don’t want the chicken to be pink on the outside at all. The chicken should be mostly cooked through.
Pour the chicken broth into the pan carefully. Add 1 teaspoon italian seasoning and the heavy cream. Mix, then add the pasta to the pan. Turn the heat up to medium high and bring the pot to a boil gradually, after a few minutes a thick ring of bubbles will start along more than just the edges. When the bubbles start cover the pot with a lid and reduce the heat to medium low so the pot is simmering. You want the liquid to be gently simmering around the edges of the pot when you add the lid.
Cook the pasta and chicken mixture for 10-12 minutes or until the pasta is tender. Stir occasionally (about every five minutes) to keep the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot, adding the lid back on when you have finished. After 10 minutes, taste the pasta to see if it is tender, then continue cooking until the pasta is tender. Once the pasta is al dente you can then remove the lid.
Add the parmesan cheese a little at a time, stirring until well mixed.
Add ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Taste and add additional salt and pepper to taste if desired, then enjoy. The sauce will continue to thicken as the dish cools.